Dedicated to emma .hamilton.71271 for her continuing support on all our stories. Thank you!

And Jo is still not here... *sighs*

Disclaimer: no we do not own the series.


Chapter 1- Does The Other

I let the tears fall as I was now in the confinement of my room. My tears spilled down my cheeks and soaked the tattered blanket that was used as my pillow. Miss Rachelle had been furious when I came home, not caring at all about the beautiful gold shoes I had brought home with me. When Mistress Jacinda had heard, she'd hit me. Miss Rachelle then had her turn taking out the lash and whipping me across my scarred back. She didn't care about the blood seeping through my shirt. She just shouted at me to make sure I got the red stains out of the beautiful rug before sending me upstairs to clean up. I'd hobbled from the room.

"Oh, Mother," I whimpered, grasping my bracelet firmly. "Oh, Father. Why can't you be here. Why couldn't you have kept me safe?"

Pounding on my door caused me to rise.

"Yes," I called, keeping the tears out of my voice.

"Downstairs now, Dove, before the red is permanent. That rug was a fortune." It was, and it was made by my mother.

"Of course, mistress," I say humbly. I quickly changed out of my ruined dress and slipped into my other brown tattered one. Grabbing one of the aprons from atop my chest, I tie it behind my back as I quickly race to the door.

Mistress Jacinda is long gone, probably in her room trying to figure out how to make herself prettier. Such a vain woman. Running to the kitchens, I see that Mr. Andrew had already set up the water and cleansers I would need to clean up the stains. Smiling my thanks towards the man, I picked up the bucket and rag and rushed back to the main foyer. As I began to scrub the beautiful rug, I hummed a song my mother had sung to me many times when I was younger. She had hummed it as well when she'd been doing the tassels for this rug, saying it inspired her. I guess that was why I sang it now.

"As the high moon rises over the starboard, all my fears have left," I moved the rag, now stained in red, from the rug to see that one of the other servants had put an empty bucket beside me for the bloody water. Thanking the person silently, I ring out the water. "Simply enough, the glistenin' lights of the stars have faded them 'way. And now as I lean 'gainst the bow, the water hits my face- and all the times my heart did sink, have been forgotten with the waves."

I dipped the rag into the clean water filled with cleansers, and once again started my task of cleaning the rug. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Safrina trot down the stairs, but she stopped when she saw me. Her ears pricked at the sound of my voice and she mewled for me to continue. I smiled at the kitten who'd once belonged to me, and continued on to the chorus as I once again rung out the rag.

"There's nothing like to ride the waves, to leave the world behind! And as the ocean 'fore you glistens, you know the peace you seek. For as night fades 'way for the day, the light pours you faith and strength." there's a knock at the door and I pause from my scrubbing. Carefully placing my rag in the bucket as not to make a splash, I pull the two containers into the shadows and dust off my apron. Adjusting the way it laid, I hurried towards the door as Safrina trotted towards the kitchen, probably hoping to be pampered.

Opening the door, I put on the kindest smile I could manage with my knuckles burning from the solution of the water.

"Hello sir," I said sweetly, putting on my look of innocence.

"Hello child," the well dressed man smiled politely at me as well before stating his business. "The residents of this home have been awaiting the prince, and he has arrived on time. Will you do me the favor of leading us inside?"

I want to slam the door in his face, for if he's brought Prince Derek, then I will have lashings after this is over. But that would be rude and inconsiderate and I was raised better than that.

"Of course, sir, I will get the steward to escort you. I will get the madams of the house." Doing a polite cursty, I waved the man in who then turned and waved to someone else, presumably the prince. I heard footsteps and I turned and walked away. Jogging quickly over the servants quarters, I called in, "Andrew! There's somewhere- an important someone- here for the madams!" Andrew raced towards me and nodded his thanks.

"Did you get the rug cleaned up?" he whispered. I shook my head. "Alright." then he went to bid the man and the prince welcome. I scurried past them, hurrying up the winding staircase to the madams. I knocked gently on the door of Miss Rachelle and said, "Miss, the prince is here to see you."

Quickly so that I miss when she opens the door, I hurry to the end of the hall. The great oaken door that stands there forebodingly was never like that when my parents were the room's occupants. It was always open- if only barely a crack- and anyone could make there way inside to my father and mother. Rapping lightly on the door, I wait for the Mistress to answer. Unlike with Miss Rachelle, I cannot call in to say the news and leave. I must speak directly to her face before I can flee.

She opens the door with a huff and glares down at me menacingly. I wish right then that the earth would swallow me whole, as little and dumb and horrid as I felt standing there. I cleared my throat and said, "Mistress, the prince is here."

She purses her lips before nodding and floats past me. Her skirts sweep against the floor as she meets Miss Rachelle at the top of the stairs and they walk down together. When they disappear from view, I sink to the ground as the terror causes me to quiver. My heart pounds in my throat and my pulse goes a million miles a minute. Through my scared thoughts, a soft mewling sound comes from my right. I look over to see Safrina looking at me with her tender grey eyes. She came up and curled next to me, purring as I ran my fingers through her black fur.

I smiled at the cat and then I heard the call, making my entire body tense up and Safrina to hiss at the stairs.

"Dove!" I sighed at Mistress Jacinda's angry voice but rose to my feet, Safrina mewling at me for leaving her. I gave her a sad smile before walking quickly down the stairs and putting a respectable look upon my face. I walked by the fireplace in the dining room to see the fire out, ashes dusting the logs. My mind went back to the fact that a prince was here and whether if or or, I needed to make myself a little less recognizable. Grabbing a handful of ash, I streaked my pale arms and blew the ash into the fireplace, before sticking my hair in the falling grey. I felt the tickling sensation of it in my hair and on my face before I walked hurriedly towards the room in which the madams and the prince was.

"Madams, your highness," I curtsied in the doorway, looking down to not meet the eyes of the people in the room.

"Dove, why would you come to us as such?" anyone who didn't know Miss Rachelle would only hear the disdain. However, I did know her, and I could hear the approval of my disgusting apparel.

"I'm sorry, miss. Would you wish me to send in Ms. Gwen instead?" I asked humbly, dipping into another curtsy.

"No, no, you will do." Miss Rachelle waved it off. I glanced up in surprise at her dismissal of my appearance- and saw that she was doe eyes on the prince. Taking a quick look at him, I was relieved to see that it was not Prince Derek, but horrified to see that it was the prince I had been closest to- Prince Simon.

"Dove- that is your name, correct?" Simon's proud voice filled the room as he addressed me and I bobbed my head in confirmation as I did another curtsy. "Alright then. Dove, could you get us some tea?"

"Of course, your highness." I said brightly, before running away from the scene.

"Is she always that reclusive and obedient?" Simon asked in awe. "I wish all of my servants her age were so- they normally are all stiff and curt."

"Yes, she normally is," Miss Rachelle said flirtatiously. "We like to keep our servants as polite as possible- only the gentlest will do."

"I see," Prince Simon seemed to understand, but disgust laced his voice. Miss Rachelle must have made a move.

"Ms. Talbot?" I poked my head into the kitchen. "Have you got the tea steeped?"

She nodded and smiled at my appearance. "Is it someone who may recognize you?"

I nodded my confirmation. She didn't ask anything more. Just put the tea and cups on the tray and handed it to me. I carried it back to the madams and the guest.

"Your tea, your highness." I backed away to the door. "Is there anything else, your highness?"

"Yes," I waited politely for him to state his request. "I would wish for you to give this letter to the mistress of the house." That was when I looked up at the prince questioningly, confused.

"Your highness, the mistress of the house is in front of you. But if you wish, I can hand it to her." I reached for the letter but he held it away and caught my gaze. I flinched, but his brown eyes held my blue ones.

Simon stood and straightened his vest and I backed away, giving him room to move. "No, this is the Saunders estate is it not? The mistress of the house must be Lady Chloe Saunders."

I almost flinched at the name- but with held as I caught Mistress Jacinda's venomous glare from behind the prince's back.

"Umm, your highness, the Lady Chloe Saunders is not here at this time."

"Can you hand it to her when she returns then?" I shifted from foot to foot and saw Mistress Jacinda's nod that I "could" get it to "her" when she "returned".

"Of course, your highness."

Prince Simon smiled down on me kindly, handing me the ivory letter. I took it in my ash streaked hand and tried in vain to get as little as much ash on it as possible. He went to kiss my cheek in thanks and I froze up, seeing Miss Rachelle's angry glare and Mistress Jacinda's cool stare.

"I know you will get it to her with no delay, thank you, Dove." I gave a jerky nod as he pressed his warm lips to my cheek and exited the room. I stood there for several seconds, and we all just stared at each other- and then we heard the closing of the front door. I handed the letter to Miss Rachelle and she glared at me angrily before ripping it open. A knock on our door kept her from reading the letter, however, and Mr. Andrew walked in.

He gulped and bowed before the glaring madams before handing them a manila envelope. Mistress Jacinda took it and Mr. Andrew fled. Her fingernails cut through the letter quickly, and he scanned the contents of the letter and a sick smile spread across her face.

"We've been cordially invited to Prince Derek's ball three days after tomorrow," Mistress Jacinda said through that sick smile. Miss Rachelle's eyes lit up but she then returned to the letter that was addressed to me in beautiful print. She opened the letter and read it to herself, but Mistress Jacinda tapped her foot and Miss Raechelle began to read it aloud.

"By personal invitation from Prince Derek, Prince Simon and King Christopher- Lady Chloe Saunders has been invited to the ball of the twenty-first birthday of Prince Derek, as of which he will pick his bride that will accompany his side on the throne, for which the coronation will be held within two weeks past the ball." Miss Rachelle paused there, and went back to reread all that was already written. But Mistress Jacinda already understood it. Miss Rachelle squawked when she came upon my name, and then glared menacingly at me.

Their stares burned me and I knew that this ball would probably be the bane of my existence.


I cried all night and up into the early dawn. I didn't know if I was to be able to get up when I heard the faint knock of one of the staff to wake me. I opened tired eyes to see that Gwen was inside my room, smiling at me sadly.

"Hello hun," her eyes lingered on the reddening spot on my cheek.

"Hello," I said thickly, rolling onto my knees and rubbing my eyes.

She sighed, looking out my window. I followed her gaze to find that the sun was shining softly over the mountains. "Talbot and I agreed that you are to spend the day in your fields, picking apples and the sort."

Nodding my understanding, I swung my legs over my bed and went to change into my pale grey dress. She placed a gentle hand on my arm and I looked over at her, smiling softly in response to her look of concern.

"Do you think Prince Simon puzzled it out?" she spoke softly, as if Mistress Jacinda or Miss Rachelle were behind her.

"If not," I whisper back, "Then surely Prince Derek would have told him."

"What ever do you mean?" she asked in her soft voice, but the incredulous note was there.

I shuffled my feet. "Well, Prince Derek caught me in the woods, and then he told me he knew who I was."

Her eyes widened and she dropped her hand, only to grab both my shoulders and give me a hug. Her arms wrapped around me gently, careful of my back. "Then we must hope he says nothing."

I nod, and returned her embrace. When she let me go, I quickly changed and washed my face with the small amount of water in my pitcher on a small table. Running up the winding stairs, I quickly made my way through the servants halls so that I may not get caught by either of the madams. Fear pumped my legs faster at the thought of Mistress Jacinda or Miss Rachelle. The miss had slapped me hard yesterday for having a personal invitation, as if I were somehow more than either of them. She also hated the fact that I'd also been personally invited by Prince Derek and on the behalf of Prince Simon in front of the whole town. Me, and simple servant! Of course, the fact that the two occurrences had happened all in one day made her even angrier.

Mistress Jacinda had not gone on a tirade, and she didn't hit me. Just took the pot of tea and poured it over the flames and over the floor of the room. Then told me to clean it up, and to get new logs for the fire, to set this room to perfection. That had taken me hours upon hours. And I'd been covered in soot and ash and dirt. Every part of my body still ached from the cleaning.

I do not want to be caught by either today.

When I came upon the kitchens, Ms. Talbot saw me first. She gave me a sympathetic smile and handed me a small bowl of still warm oatmeal. Happy with the sustenance, as little as there was, I ate it eagerly and thanked Ms. Talbot. Her eyes lit up at my politeness and humility. In quiet whispers, she told me she would be using the apples I picked today to make tarts. She asked for my help, and in return, I would get one. Who could possibly turn up Ms. Talbot's tarts?

Eager, I nodded and she flashed me a smile. Just then, Mr. Andrew walked in with a scowl. Ms. Talbot saw it and ran to go see what was the matter. I smiled at her kind ways and went to grab three baskets, before I exited out the back doors and walked into the orchards.

A little before noon, Ms. Talbot had all the apples she required. She told me that I could rest and to wander the orchards, be outside and relax. I had nodded, and she then told me she would need peaches for later and if I could gather those after noon. I had nodded, before heading out to the orchards.

Walking through the twisting lines of trees, I came upon one that had a large apple hanging in my reach. I plucked the beautiful red apple from the tree, and I wiped it off with my clean apron. It shone brightly in the high afternoon sun. I smiled and sunk my teeth into the fruit, enjoying the sweet, tangy taste that coated my tongue.

"I thought I'd find you here." I gasped at the deep voice and spun around to see Prince Derek grinning at me triumphantly.


Ha! What do you think of that? I'm sure you probably all hate me right now... but I don't care! That was an epic ending!

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Danke!

-Danni